(Arnold Gold — New Haven Register) Jonathan Law football captains, left to right, Nick Casagrande, Tim Maher, Mark Thibault and Ryan Siddall are photographed at the school in Milford on 11/13/2013.
MILFORD >> Although Law isn’t crunching playoff rating numbers or scouting potential postseason opponents, the Lawmen put on the uniform the same way and prepare for each contest just like a team with dreams of extending its season.
Despite Law being officially eliminated from the Class M playoffs, it still has some business to finish. Law (2-6) has games it’s capable of winning today at Lyman Hall (2-7) and next week at Plainfield (4-4). The Lawmen then close the season at home against crosstown rival Foran (6-3) on Thanksgiving in an annual game where records are usually meaningless.
“We have a huge opportunity in front of us that we really need to take control of,” Law senior fullback/linebacker Mark Thibault said.
Ending the season on a positive note would be especially rewarding for the Law seniors.
“As a senior and probably not playing next year, it would be nice to finish it off with a couple of wins,” said Law senior Ryan Siddall, a wide receiver/defensive back. “I feel if we can get four or five wins to end the season it will be a nice feeling and good for the team to build on for next year.”
The Lawmen have not finished with a winning record since going 9-1 and capturing the SCC Division II West title in 2007. Law has won just 15 games since, and suffered through an 0-10 campaign in 2011.
The biggest factor might be the level of competition in the SCC, arguably the state’s best league. Robinson says the demanding schedule makes it difficult for his program, which has dealt with decreasing numbers.
“It’s a daily grind,” Law coach Mark Robinson said. “You just have to keep sticking true to your beliefs to try to build the program on. You just have to keep plugging. I think they do a pretty good job to the best of their ability.”
The Lawmen, though, have some talented athletes, most notably senior Tim Maher, who has played almost every position during his career. Maher has completed 23 of 70 passes for 349 yards, rushed for 560 yards and five touchdowns and has caught two touchdowns this season.
“He’s an amazing athlete,” Robinson said. “He’s a fantastic kid; great character and work ethic. He’s very football-smart. He’s like having a coach between the lines.”
Robinson called senior Nick Casagrande the “rock of the offensive line,” while Robinson said Thibault does a lot of great things in the secondary.
Senior Joe Ziebell has rushed 106 times for 602 yards and seven touchdowns, the team leader in each of those categories.
The Lawmen lost their first four games this season before shutting out East Haven 34-0. After back-to-back losses to Sheehan and Guilford, Law earned its second win of the season, a 27-14 victory over Branford last week.
“It’s kind of disappointing, our record right now, but we’ve done a lot of things we haven’t done in the past,” Casagrande said. “We’ve really played hard and together every game. It’s nice to see everyone come together and form like a brotherhood.”
The Lawmen, who have been decimated by injuries this season, have remained upbeat through the rigors of an SCC schedule and consider the season worthwhile.
“The SCC is a lot harder than most people think it is,” Thibault said. “Win or lose, knowing that we tried our hardest and put everything out on the field is a great feeling.
“Regardless of how hard it is to come out in the heat of the summer or the cold of the winter, it’s a great feeling at the end of the day to know you’ve done something great for yourself and the team.”
